ALTON/GRANITE CITY - Over 700 local kids will receive a new pair of shoes this month through All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes.
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This organization allows kids in need to choose a pair of brand new shoes and a packet of socks. Every December, Sue Wooden organizes monetary donations and coordinates visits from area schools to Famous Footwear in Alton. She noted the importance of empowering the kids to choose their own shoes.
“For a lot of the kids, this is their big Christmas gift,” she said. “Some of the kids, they come back, and it’s the same shoes they had last year. They come out, they’re running up and down seeing how fast they can go with their shoes. We put new socks on them. They’re excited…It’s very important just to see the kids' faces light up and to make them feel like they’re important.”
On Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, 135 kids from Granite City Community Unit School District #9 traveled to Famous Footwear in Alton, where they were paired with volunteers and told to pick out a new pair of shoes and a packet of socks. Volunteers from Granite City and beyond were present to help the kids find shoes in their size.
Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson spoke to the power of seeing the kids’ faces light up as they chose their shoes. He thanked the donors, both individuals and local businesses, for their contributions.
“Seeing our local kids being able to have some Christmas joy is great for us,” he said. “Economic times are tough throughout the whole area, and especially Granite City. Granite City is a tough town, with a lot of families going through struggles right now. It’s great partnerships [that make this possible].”
U.S. Steel is one of those collaborators, contributing greatly to this year’s mission for All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes. As Robin Sampson, a representative with U.S. Steel who volunteered on Dec. 4, waited to be paired with a child, she reflected on the company’s values and the importance of helping the kids.
“It actually brings a tear to your eye to see the joy on their faces,” she said. “At U.S. Steel, we have a good employee network, and we try to give back in any way that we can. We’re always happy and willing to help in any capacity.”
Jeff Kohler with Weber Chevrolet echoed Sampson. Granite City is his hometown, and he wants to help the community as much as possible. He feels this is his responsibility as a business owner.
“Being from Granite City, born and raised there, the town supports us very well. I feel like it’s just a need, that we need to give back, and these kids need these shoes,” he said. “Everybody’s here. I think everybody believes in it.”
As the kids tried on shoes and led volunteers through the store, each volunteer had their own reason for joining the mission. Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to give back.
“It’s all about the kids,” he said. “It really is, and for the businesses to step up and donate their money so the kids can have something. We’re just honored to be part of volunteering our time to help the kids.”
Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido echoed Connor, adding that the All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes shopping day is a great experience for all involved.
“It’s twofold. It’s absolutely about the kids. But what it also inadvertently does, it actually kind of humbles our heart a little bit too whenever you get to see this and you get to create relationships,” Pulido said. “It warms the spirit up.”
First Student, Inc. donated the buses to transport students. Volunteers included GCSD9 administrators, staff, and social workers, as well as representatives from Church Women United in Illinois, the City of Granite City, the Granite City Fire and Police Departments, First Student Inc., the Madison County Sheriff’s and Coroner’s Offices, U.S. Steel, and Weber Chevrolet.
“We are very grateful to All God’s Children for Shoes for thinking of us during this holiday season and for all they do for our students,” said GCSD9 Superintendent Dr. Don Harris. “It warms my heart each year to be part of this event and to see our students walking out with new shoes on their feet.”
As All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes concludes their annual giveaway to local schools, Wooden noted that they collect donations year-round so they can help as many kids as possible.
You can visit the official All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes Facebook page for more information about the organization, including how to donate by mailing a check or donating through Venmo @KidsShoes.
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